5 Tips for Being a Stellar Podcast Guest

It’s estimated there are over 2 million podcasts with more than 48 million podcast episodes available as of this month. Podcast popularity is at an all-time high, and why not? They’re mobile, most are free, and they can be listened to while multitasking, such as when driving or exercising.

In fact, 37 percent of Americans say they’ve listened to a podcast in the last month, and 24 percent listen to podcasts weekly.

Importantly, a huge number of podcasts are dedicated to business and technology topics, making them a good source for information. Here’s a list of some great tech podcasts, according to a blogger who listens to over 40 each month.

 

If you’re lucky enough to be booked on a podcast as a guest, we know you’ll want to make a good impression and be inherently “listenable.” Here are five tips to ensure you’re a hit:

Let your personality shine through. The best podcast guests are personable and interactive with the host. Listeners want to feel as though they’re listening in on an actual conversation, so be sure you don’t come off as being stiff or over-rehearsed. However, you do want to give some advance thought about what to say regarding the episode’s topic. While you might make note of some key points, take care to avoid paper rustling or sounding as though you’re reading from a script.

Eliminate noise and disruptions. These days especially, a lot of podcast guests are remote instead of being brought into a studio. If this is the case, do what you can to eliminate any unwanted sounds on your end. That means finding a quiet, echo-free space with zero chance of disruptions like ringing phones, barking dogs, street noise, etc.

Have the proper equipment. The requirements are basic—you need a computer and Internet connection, although a simple, USB-style microphone will greatly improve sound quality. Find out in advance if the podcast host plans to use Zoom or another program to interview you and if so, make sure you have the software in place and operational.

Don’t freak out about flubs. If you get tongue-tied or garble up something you planned to say, just make light of it and try again—it’s humanizing and reminds the listener that the conversation is spontaneous.

Seriously, don’t sell. Being an informative guest is about sharing insights and being part of the conversation. As much as you might want to give a quick plug for your company or product, avoid doing so unless the host specifically asks you to talk about those things and even then, keep such responses short and as objective as possible. People are listening because they want to expand their knowledge on topics of interest to them, so don’t try to sell them. If listeners like what you have to say, they’ll likely look up your company afterward.

Being a podcast guest is much like participating on a panel at a conference, but in audio only. Just remember that you’ve been invited on the podcast to engage in conversation, so be sure that it’s a two-way dialog as opposed to a monolog. And never forget that although the conversation may seem intimate, people are listening.

Finally, don’t forget to promote your appearance on social media beforehand. If given permission by the host, you can also embed the episode on your website or social pages afterward for extra mileage.

As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, chances are good you’ll be invited to take part in one sooner or later. Don’t pass up the opportunity!